Farm Retail Manager

Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center•East Thetford, VT

8d•$23 - $27

About The Position

Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center seeks a collaborative, community-minded Farm Retail Manager to steward our farmstand, café, and other retail sales channels. This role is ideal for someone who loves produce, understands seasonal farming, and is motivated by connecting people to food grown with care-while also bringing a strong, thoughtful approach to retail sales. The Farm Retail Manager plays a key role in translating the work of our vegetable, plant and flower, and kitchen teams into welcoming, mission-aligned retail experiences. They are responsible for selling products grown and produced by other departments, as well as sourcing complementary local products that align with our organic and values-driven mission. Success in this role depends on strong cross-department collaboration, curiosity about the work of others, and the ability to communicate our story to customers with authenticity and enthusiasm. This position works closely with the Development Director and Outreach & Engagement Coordinator to support coordinated marketing and outreach efforts. While the Retail Manager contributes ideas and on-the-ground insight, marketing strategy and implementation are guided by those roles. The Farm Retail Manager oversees daily operations of the farmstand and Hello Café, with support from the Farmstand and Café Leads. They also manage sales through farmers' markets and wholesale accounts. As a member of the management team, the Retail Manager helps set and meet sales goals while maintaining the integrity, values, and community focus that define Cedar Circle. While department managers oversee growing and production decisions, the Farm Retail Manager is responsible for ensuring that all farm products-including food, plants, and flowers-are accurately represented and tracked in retail systems.

Requirements

2–3 years of leadership experience in a retail environment, ideally food- or farm-based
Strong knowledge of seasonal produce and familiarity with Vermont or New England-grown foods
Experience training, supervising, and motivating staff
Comfort working with sales data, budgets, and spreadsheets
Experience or working knowledge of sales tax requirements for food and retail products, including proper product categorization
Experience using and managing point-of-sale systems, including back-end functions such as inventory, reporting, pricing, and item setup for diverse product types (produce, prepared foods, plants, and flowers)
Genuine enthusiasm for vegetables, local food systems, and organic agriculture
Excellent communication skills and a collaborative working style
Ability to work effectively across departments and within a management team

Nice To Haves

Additional experience in retail or sales management with demonstrated success
Knowledge of produce handling, storage, and display best practices
Interest in and curiosity about plants, flowers, and native species is a plus
Experience sourcing local products or working with small vendors
Strong visual merchandising skills and an eye for abundance and beauty
Knowledge of and enthusiasm for organic and regenerative agriculture

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for the day-to-day operations of the farmstand and café, with support from the Farmstand & Café Leads
Develop, train, and retain a knowledgeable retail team focused on customer service, produce education, and mission-driven sales
Collaborate closely with the Vegetable, Annual & Perennial, and Kitchen Managers to plan, prioritize, and effectively sell farm-produced goods
Manage the point-of-sale system for the farmstand, café, and farmers' markets; Coordinate with the other department managers to ensure accurate retail pricing, product setup, and sales tracking
Ensure proper sales tax application across all retail channels, including correct tax categorization of products and coordination with administrative staff as needed
Source and manage a curated selection of local, organic, and mission-aligned products to complement farm offerings
Foster clear communication and strong working relationships between retail and all other departments
Oversee merchandising, displays, and signage in collaboration with Leads, with attention to seasonality, abundance, and visual appeal
Coordinate staffing, stocking, and merchandising for farmers' markets with the market staff
Manage the retail side of CSA distribution in collaboration with the Administrative Manager
Develop annual retail sales projections and monitor performance in collaboration with the Executive Director
Track sales trends and adjust purchasing, pricing, and merchandising strategies accordingly
Participate as an active member of the management team in planning for sustainable sales growth
Work with the Vegetable Production Manager to support and expand wholesale relationships with restaurants and local businesses
Collaborate with the Development Director and Outreach & Engagement Coordinator to support coordinated marketing and outreach efforts
Share retail insights, seasonal highlights, and customer feedback to inform broader marketing strategies
Represent Cedar Circle's mission and values in all customer-facing interactions
Support farm events, festivals, and educational programs as appropriate